Dispenser



` Nov. 29, 1938.

F. L. BROEREN ET AL DISPENSER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jap. 3, 1938 .ra/maw Nov. 29, 1938. F. l.. BROEREN ET A1.

4 DISPENSER Filed Jan; 3, 1958 3 Sheefs-Sheet 2 Nov. 29, 1938.

F. BROEREN AL 2,138,692

DISPENSER Filed Jan. s, 1958 5 sheets-sheet s (IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII Patented Nov. 29, 1938 UNITED STATES PART OFFE DISPENSER of Wisconsin Application January 3, 1938, Serial No. 183,036

9 Claims. (Cl. 312-62) This invention relates to improvements in dispensing vdevices of thatv type in which a closed container is provided for holding folded paper napkins, or like articles, to protect them against soiling previous to use, and to permit the withdrawal of but a single article and at the same time to prevent waste of the articles.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a container comprising a casing divided 10 transversely at an intermediate part into two complementary sections, which are hinged together so that the casing can be easily opened and closed for loading the same, the two sections being adapted to form opposite receptacles to l5 receive respectively stacks of the articles, with the two stacks separated by an intervening space,

in which is mounted pressure exerting mechanism adapted to press the stacks toward the l end walls of their respective sections so that individual articles can be dispensed through openings in the end walls of the sections when the two sections are closed. Another object of the invention is to provide means whereby the pressure exerting mechanism is automatically retracted when the casing is opened for reloading, so that the mechanism will not interfere with the introduction of the new stacks of articles.

The invention is described in detail hereinafter,

pointed out in the appended claims, and illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

In the accompanying drawings, in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts: f

Figure l is a perspective view of the dispenser,

Figure 2 is a side View of the dispenser, partly in section,

Figure 3 is a plan View of the dispenser in partly opened position,

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmental perspective view of the partly opened dispenser,

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the fully opened dispenser, and

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on lines 6 6 of Figure 5.

Referring to the drawings, the dispenser comprises two complementary sections I and 2 hinged together by pintle 6U so as to be swingable from the closed portion shown in Figure l to the fully opened portion shown in Figure 5. Section I consists of a top wall I0, side walls 9 and I4, and a bottom wall 30. Section 2 similarly consists of a top wall I2, side walls 8 and I5, and a bottom wall 3|. Each of the sections I and 2 is ,15 provided with a front face plate having an outwardly protruding pocket portion 2B and an upper portion 22 protruding inwardly of the sections I and 2 as shown in Figure 2. Pocket portion 2t terminates in a lip portion 23 forming the lower margin of a transversely extending 5 dispensing slot through which the folded napkins A may be withdrawn from the dispenser.

Section l is provided with a ange portion I3 extending beyond the edge portions of the top wall lil and side walls 9 and It. The flange l0 portion i3 is adapted to overlap the edge portions of the top wall I2 and side walls 8 and I5 of section 2 as shown in Figure 1 so as to securely close the sections I and 2. A tongue portion 25 (see Figure 3) is provided adjacent the 15 edge of the top wall l2 of section 2 which engages a complementary slot I8 in flange I3 positioned in the top wall II) of section I, so as to releasably lock the sections together. The ilange I3 is also provided with protuberances I9, as 20 clearly shown in Figure 5 which act as stop portions for limiting the movement of the sections l and 2 when they are closed.

A plate Ella is riveted to the bottom 3l of section 2 as shown in Figure 2. Similarly a plate 25 45d is riveted to the bottom 3E] of section I. Plates 4ta are provided with intertting knuckle portions Iil and t2 which are retained by pintle 6E) for permitting swinging of the sections I and 2 on said pintle. 30

Each section I and 2 is providedwith a pusher plate It which is actuated by spring urged link barils for exerting pressure upon the rear of a stack of napkins A placed in each section as shown in Figure 2. Each of the pusher plates is 35 providedY with ribs III which contact the rearmost napkin in the stack so as to reduce frictional contact with the pusher plate.

Wing portions 2b are stamped out of each pusher plate and are provided withopenings 40 for hingedly receiving pins M provided at one end of the link bar 43. The other end of each link bar adjacent pintle is provided with a cut out portion 52 and a complemental socket portion Eil. versely positioned in the two adjacent sections so that the socket portion 5i) of one link bar 1s capable of iitting into the complemental opening 52 of the other link bar when the dispenser is fully opened as shown in Figure 5. The link 50 bars are also pro vided with hinge knuckle portions a for receiving pintle so as to be swingable thereon.

Plates 40a are riveted to the bottom of each dispenser section and are provided with integral ,55

The links I3 as described are re- 45 Vslot in each of the front face plates.

fingers i which are adapted to eXtend into the adjacent section and to engage the socket portion of the link bar in the adjacent section when the sections l and 2 are swung open, thereby retracting pusher plates 4Q into the position shown in Figure 5. A coiled spring 5S is provided on pintle E@ which normally urges link bars 43 outwardly, the compressive force being exerted by the ends 54 and 55 of the spring which engage stop portions 56 on each link bar Shown in Figure 4.

Plates 40a, are provided with a cut out portion 55 for receiving tongues 5I of the opposing plate when the dispenser is in closedposition.

Plates 40a are also provided with integral flangel portions 4l, 42, and 42a as shown in Figure 5. The flange portions 42 serve to elevate the lower edge of the napkins A above the plates 40d thereby reducing frictional contact. The side flanges 42a serve to guide the napkins in pro-per alignment with the dispensing slot. The ange portions contact only the lower corner portions of the napkins thereby reducing frictional contact. Flanges 4l are triangularly shaped as shownin Figure 5 so that'ilange portions 42 are inclined downwardly toward the front wall of each dispenser section, thereby facilitating the forward movement of the napkins toward the dispensing slot as shown in Figure 2.

'Ihe bottom of each section is provided with rubber legs 2l for supporting the dispenser upon any desired supporting surface without scratching or marring the same.

In using the dispenser, the sections land 2 are swung open by manually releasing tongue 25 from slot 8 so that the sections assume the position shown in Figure 5, with the pusher plates iii retracted out of the sections and in back to back relation. A stack of napkins is then placed in each section with the grasping tabs A properly aligned so as to be presented tothe dispensing The sections l and 2 are then swung together and locked by the engagement of tongue 2.5 in slot IB in the position shown in Figure l. As the individual napkins are removed from the dispensing slot the pusher plates actuated by spring urged link bars 43 will urge forwardlyv the remaining napkins in proper position for dispensing purposes. The configuration of the face plate is such, owing to the outwardly protruding pocket portion and the inwardly protruding portion 22, as to bow the upper portions l@ of the napkins inwardly of the dispenser and to protrude the grasping-portion A through the dispensing slot so as to be readily grasped and removed from the dispenser. The pusher plates 4E are also configured as shown in Figure 2 so as to cooperate with the front face panel contour to bend the stack of napkins for satisfactory dispensing.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that in its formation and method of advancement, the follower plate coacts with the specially formed and pocketed panel in applying the proper compression to insure delivery of all of the napkins, so that even when the stack becomes largely depleted, the remaining napkins will be properly presented for successive removal singly and without displacement or entanglement with one another.

The construction of the dispenser as herein described thus provides a dispenser having two complemental hinged sections, each section adapted to contain a stack of napkins which are urged forward toward the dispensing slot bya pusher plate. When the sections are swung open the construction of the dispenser provides automatic means for retracting the pusher plates from the sections thereby permitting them to be refilled with a fresh supply of napkins. When the sections are closed upon the separated stacks of napkins the pusher platesare automatically actuated so as to urge the napkins toward the dispensing slot for positioning the napkins in proper position for withdrawal from the dispenser.

Numerous changes and modifications may be made in the details of the construction herein described and it is intended to cover such modications within the scope of the appended claims except as they may be limited by the prior art.

We claim:

1. A dispenser for folded napkins and the like comprising two complemental sections, each section having a top, bottom, sides and a front face panel, said front face panel being provided with a dispensing opening, means iorhingedly connecting the said sections whereby they maybe closed upon separated stacks of napkins arranged in each section to abutv the said respective front face panels so as to be dispensed'throug-h said dispensing openings,` means toretain the sections in closed relation,l pressure exerting means mounted on said sections for urging the separated stacks toward the respective frontV face panels when the said sections are closed, and means for automatically inactivating said pressure exerting means and withdrawing same from each of the sections when the said sectionsl are swung open for refilling the dispenser withv napkins,

2. A dispenser forfoldednapkins and theA like comprising two complemental sections, each section having a top, bottom, sides and a iront face panel, said front face` panel.beingprovidedwith a dispensing opening, meansfor hingedly connecting the said sections whereby' they may be closed upon separated stacksiof napkins arranged in each section to abut the said respective front face panels so as to be dispensed through said dispensing openings, means for retaining the-sections in closed relation, .spring urged pusher plates mounted on said'sections for urging the separated stacks toward the respectivefrontface panels when the said sections are closed and means for automatically retracting the said pusher plates from each-of said sections in back to back relation when the-sections are swung open.

3. A dispenser-'for folded napkins andthe like comprising two complemental sections, each section having a top, bottom, sides andra front face panel, said front face panel being provided with a dispensing opening, a hinge connection; between the bottoms of the complemental sections including a pintle, whereby the sections maybe closed upon separated stacks of napkins arranged in each section to abut the said respective front face panels so as to be dispensed through said dispensing openings, means for retaining the sections in closed relation, a link bar in each section hinged at .one end upon said pintle, spring means fori urging said linkbars outwardly, pusher plates hinged to the other end of said linkV bars forV urging the separated stacks toward the respective front face panels when the said sections are closed, andmeans for. automatically'retracting said link bars and pusher plates from each of said sections in back to back relation when the sectionsare swung open.

4. Adispenser-.for folded'napkins,andthe-like 'f5 comprising two complemental sections, each section having a top, bottom, sides and a front face panel, said 'front face panel being provided with a dispensing opening, a hinge connection between the bottoms of' the complemental sections 1ncluding a pintle, whereby the sections may be closed upon separated stacks of napkins arranged in each section to abut the said respective front face panels so as to be dispensed through said dispensing openings, means for retaining the sections in closed relation, a link bar in each section hinged at one end upon said pintle, a socket portion provided on one of said link bars adjacent the pintle, a complemental cut out portion provided on the opposite link bar adapted for receiving said socket portion, spring means for,

urging said link bars outwardly, pusher plates hinged to the other end of said link bars for urging the separated stacks toward the respective front face panels when the said sections are closed, and means for engaging said socket portions for automatically retracting said link bars and pusher plates from each of said sections when the sections are swung open.

5. A dispenser for folded napkins and the like comprising two complemental sections, each section having a top, bottom, sides and a front face panel, said front face panel being provided with a dispensing opening, a hinge connection between the bottoms of the complemental sections including a pintle, whereby the sections may be closed upon separated stacks of napkins arranged in each section to abut the said respective front face panels so as to be dispensed through said dispensing openings, means for retaining the sections in closed relation, a link bar provided in each section, said link bars being hinged at their lower ends upon said pintle, a socket portion provided on one of said link bars adjacent the pintle, a complemental cut out portion provided on the opposite link bar adapted for receiving said socket portion, spring means for urging said link bars outwardly, pusher plates hinged to the other end of said link bars for urging the separated stacks toward the respective front face panels when the said sections are closed, and a tongue portion affixed to the bottom of each casing for engaging the socket portion of the link bar in the adjacent casing for automatically retracting said link bars and pusher plates from each of said sections when the sections are swung open.

6. A dispenser for folded napkins and the like comprising two complemental sections, each section having a topbottom, sides and a front face panel, said front face panel being provided with a dispensing opening, a hinge connection between the bottoms of the complemental sections including a pintle, whereby the sections may be closed upon separated stacks of napkins arranged in each section to abut the said respective front face panels so as to be dispensed through said dispensing openings, means for retaining the sections in closed relation, a link bar in each section hinged at one end upon said pintle, a socket portion provided on one of said link bars adjacent the pintle, a complemental cut out portion provided on the opposite link bar adapted for receiving said socket portion, spring means for urging said link bars outwardly, pusher plates hinged to the other end of said link bars for urging the separated stacks toward the respective front face panels when the said sections are closed, and a plate affixed to the bottom of each section, said plate being provided with an integral tongue portion extending into the adjacent section and engaging the socket portion of the link bar in the adjacent section for automatically retracting said link bars and pusher plates from each of said sections when the sections are swung open.

'7. A dispenser for folded napkins and the like comprising two complemental sections, each section having a top, bottom, sides and a front face panel, said front face panel being provided with a dispensing opening, a hinge connection between the bottoms of the complemental sections including a pintle, whereby the sections may be closed upon separated stacks of napkins arranged in each section to abut the said respective front tace panels so as to be dispensed through said dispensing openings, means for retaining the Vsections in closed relation, a link bar in each section hinged at one end upon said pintle, a socket portion provided on one of said link bars adjacent the pintle, a complemental cut out portion provided on the opposite link bar adapted for receiving said socket portion, spring means for urging said link bars outwardly, pusher plates hinged to the other end of said link bars for urging the separated stacks toward the respective front face panels when the said sections are closed, a plate ailxed to the bottom of each section, said plate being provided with an integral tongue portion extending into the adjacent section and engaging the socket portion of the link bar in the adjacent section for automatically retracting said link bars and pusher plates from each of said sections when the sections are swung open, and guide members integral with said plate for guiding the stack of napkins forwardly and downwardly toward said front face panel for positioning the napkins in proper position for withdrawal from the dispenser.

8. A dispenser for folded napkins and the like comprising two complemental sections, each section having a top, bottom, sides and a front face panel, said front face panel being provided with a dispensing opening, a hinge connection between the bottoms of the complemental sections including a pintle, whereby the sections may be closed upon separated stacks of napkins arranged in each section to abut the said respective front face panels so as to be dispensed through said dispensing openings, means for retaining the sections in closed relation, a link bar in each section hinged at one end upon said pintle, a socket portion provided on one of said link bars adjacent the pintle, a complemental cut out portion provided on the opposite link bar adapted for receiving said socket portion, spring means for urging said link bars outwardly, pusher plates hinged to the other end of said link bars for urging the separated stacks toward the respective front face panels when the said sections are closed, a plate ailixed to the bottom of each section, said plate being provided with anntegral tongue portion extending into the adjacent section and engaging the socket portion of the link bar in the adjacent section for automatically retracting said link bars and pusher plates from each of said sections when the sections are swung open, and guide members integral with said plate for guiding the stack of napkins forwardly and downwardly toward said front face panel for positioning the napkins in proper position for withdrawal from the dispenser, said guide members being elevated above the bottom of the said sections and contacting only the lower corner portions of the napkins.

r9. A dispenser for foldedvnapkins andthe like comprising two complemental sections, each section having a top, bottom, sides and a front face panel, said front face panel being provided with a dispensing opening, a hinge connection between the bottoms of the complemental sections ncluding a pintle, whereby the sections may be closed upon separated stacks of napkins arranged in veach section to abut the said respective front face panels so as to be dispensed through said dispensing openings, means for retaining the sections in closed relation, a link bar in each section hinged at one end upon said pintle, a socket portion provided on one of said link bars adjacent the pintle, a complemental cut out portion provided on the opposite link bar adapted for receiving said socket portion,rspring means for urging said link bars outwardly, pusher plates hinged tothe other end of said link bars for urging the separated stacks toward the respective.frontface-panels when the said sections are closed, said pusher plates beingr provided with longitudinally spaced ribs for contacting the said stacksrof napkins; a plate aixed to the bottom of each section, saidA plate .being provided with an integral tongue portion extending into the adjacent section and engaging the socket portion of the link bar in the adjacent section for automatically retracting said link bars and pusher plates from each of said sections when the sections are swung open, and .guide members integral with said plate for guiding the stack of napkins forwardly and downwardly toward said front face panel for positioning the napkins in proper position for withdrawal from the dis penser, said guide members being elevated above the bottom of the saidsections and contactingr Y Y only the lower corner portions of the napkins. FRANK L. BROEREN. SAMUEL N. HOPE. 

